McGomez

As Eddie states, permits haven’t been issued for some years now. The infrastructure company ADIF has this page that explains the latest rules for aficionados. http://www.adif.es/en_US/ocio_y_cultura/fotografia_ferroviaria/aficionados_fotografia.shtml Basically, photography is permitted from public areas but on railway property it is restricted but it doesn’t say it is prohibited completely. It seems to say that if you are on the platform, you should be in possession of a valid ticket. As is the case in most countries, if you ask permission from someone in charge they usually don’t have a problem. When my kids were smaller, I found that the authorities were more open to showing you around the installations if I had them with me. I, (the kids) have been shown the signalling panel at a couple of stations and once you are known to the personnel there is no problem. Private security firms are employed these days at main stations, and at little used stations where 3 or 4 trains a day stop they usually appear some 15 minutes before the train arrives and leave once everyone has vacated the place. I’ve heard a few stories of over zealous security guards trying to confiscate cameras and there was an incident of them breaking a local TV news cameraman’s equipment a few years ago. The strange thing is that they don’t seem to bat an eyelid when people are crossing the tracks right in front of them? To the majority of the Spanish, crossing a railway track is a normal thing to do. Why go out of your way to find a bridge or underpass when A to B isn´t fenced off? They just have a different mindset. I tend to take most of my photos outside of built up areas and I’ve never been approached yet but if the police/Guardia Civil were to see me, I’m sure they’d ask for some ID. Just make sure you have some on you.

Hi Alex. It´s looking brilliant. I like the b&w images. Makes it look like my colour fotos from that era!! Keep up the good work.

I totally agree with you that the size of the market dictates the price. I believe they are only making 150 models of each livery. That includes DC, DCC sound and 3 rail versions. If they do have the sole modelling rights from Vossloh, I wonder if they will do a Spanish 334. The Spanish have been crying out for one for years now. Here is another video of the Takargo version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtdK-f6EtaM And although not Portuguese, here is the EuroPorte version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCfvJRxkPP4 With regards the steam train up the Douro Valley, looks like you have your last chance to hop aboard this Saturday. Atleast this year anyway. http://www.cp.pt/cp/...0007b01a8c0RCRD

The Sud Express Euro4000 loco in Takargo livery hit the rails about 10 days ago. From what I´ve read, it sounds like they´ve done a good job. But then again at around 230€ (without sound), it should be!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lizKxywbuWk&feature=player_embedded

The 37 is very impressive Stuart. Glad to see you are back in the groove.

I have one of the Spanish liveried versions. I agree with you about the top speed. The thing that impressed me with the model were the revolving axle bearings on the outside of the bogies. I´ve never seen that done before-.I´ve got a video of it somewhere. I´ll see if I can dig it out. I had a look at your gallery and see that there is one of the Takargo 335s in there. Will one of the new SudExpress models be featuring on the layout? Or is it a bit too modern? Back in 2009 we went to Oporto and went up to Regua. Here is what looks like a Sentinal shunting a couple of Transfesa registered cement wagons. And the steam locos were still parked up at Regua depot.

Hi Gridwatcher. Nice video. I like the weathering of the cement wagons. I´ve got a non sound version of 1432. It amazes me how they managed to squeeze sound into the body. There isn’t much space inside. Here is a photo of a Spanish class 1300 loco or 313.xxx in new money, working for a private maintenance company. Alguazas, Murcia 18-05-12. 18 of these ALCOs were acquired by CP in the late 80s from RENFE. They were known as the 1320s in Portugal and this is 1321 that was brought back to Spain after withdrawal in Portugal. Spanish model company, MABAR, made a model of these about 3 to 4 years ago, at least one of the versions was in CP colours. Looking forward to more updates.

Not too sure if this is the correct sub forum to post this in but is overseas to some people. I had a bit of spare time on my way back from Alicante on Friday afternoon so thought I´d try and locate the 58s that have been at work on the Albacete - Alicante section of the high speed line from Madrid. They have been on this section for a while as I saw a couple stabled on top of an overbridge one Sunday near Villena back in July last year. The base is some 20 km north east of Alicante close to a town called Monforte del Cid. Judging by the absence of material under the loading gantry (I have seen pictures of it full of rail), I´d say that the vast majority of the work is complete. There was no activity on Friday 18th May at 18:00-18:30h when I was there. Although I managed to drive all around the perimeter, there were not many places to get a good photo from. I didn´t have that much time so I wasn´t hanging about either. The first view is of 58024. Stabled at the head of an empty rail train under the loading gantry. This next view is taken from the ramp of an overbridge to the south of the complex. 024 once again in the middle of the complex. This view shows the whole yard with the maintenance shed on the right. From L to R are, 58029, 58030 & 58020. It was impossible to see the number of 020 but in the photo you can just make out L43 which is its Spanish identity. Moving over to the north side of the tracks you drive beside the high speed tracks which practically obscure the view of the locos by the shed. I could just about see the numbers of 029 & 030. Further on I got a slightly better view of 024. A bit further on this side is the ballast dump where another loco could be spied but I had to go back over to the other side of the line, this time through a large storm drain, to find the number. The station is closed but you could walk on the platforms without jumping fences. This was my first view of 015 behind the transformers for the conventional Spanish gauge line. A closer view. And after walking along the platform a bit further, I managed to get a full side on view between the transformer building and the site mess rooms. 015 still hasn’t had its Spanish ID number applied. Here is a view of the station. And 2 views looking back from the station towards the yard and maintenance shed. I´m not sure where the rest of the locos are? Maybe a couple were in the maintenance shed or maybe out on ballast trains? The high speed line to Alicante begins to operate this year although the actual trains are already running services on the original wide gauge tracks and have been for a couple of years. They run through gauge changing equipment in Albacete to get on to the high speed section of track to Madrid. The line to Murcia and beyond is in construction (earth works, tunneling, etc) with completion due for 2014/5. I presume another materials base will be built closer to Murcia, where I can hopefully get a few working photos and videos. Regards Andy

Hi Alex. It´s all starting to come together now. Good to hear that work is getting in the way of the modelling (to a certain extent at least!). The buffer stops look excellent. Here is a picture of some similar stops at Tyseley. They don´t look to be too dirty. And a dingy view inside the shed at Toton, taken on a depot visit on 14-11-87. Hope they are of some help.

A signmaker nearly always has offcuts of different coloured vinyl’s. You might be lucky and know of one nearby. Where I worked, we always had kids asking for bits for their school projects or to pin stripe their bikes.

Although the odd modern liveried unit and some Spanish stock sometimes get a run out on my layout, it is predomently BR Blue. There is no scenery as yet but hopefully when I get around to doing it, it will place the layout in the late 70s early 80s period. Here are a couple of videos of some of the stock. BR Blue movie 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhsvr1-WV4g BR Blue movie 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtVsSQz3jx4 The Portland Grove thread can be found here

Now that does look good Alex. I always knew you´d go over to the blue side

Hi Kev. Great recording of the Tractor. I hope you don´t mind but I downloaded it on to my mobile and have it as my wake up alarm in the morning. It puts a smile on my face but the missus isn´t too pleased. Scared the living daylights out of her the first time it sounded. It is the first alarm sound I try not to turn off too quickly ;-) By the way. I managed to pick up a copy of Model Rail. Great article. Fine looking photo too.

Glad you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, Alex.

I´m flying back with the missus for a funeral, so a trip to a model shop is out of the question! Hertfordshire isn´t too good for model shops either. (Funerals are pactically the only reason I get to go back for lately!) Stafford exhibition weekend too. It is one I´ve always wanted to go to. Never mind. Keep those sound videos coming, Kev. Looking forward to seeing the Model Rail article.

After all this talk of what Kev looks like I'm intrigued to find out? Is this a conspiracy to get the Model Rail sales figures up? I'm not a subscriber but as I'm going back to the UK this weekend, it'll be the first thing I buy (that's if they sell it at Luton Airport). I'll report the findings on my return. ;-) Looking forward to reading about Loch Dour too. It is one of my favourites. Especially the sound element. Hope to see it in the flesh one day. I'm talking about the layout!

Thanks for info Kev. I´ll keep it in mind.

Thanks for doing the video Kev. Impressive sound. Certainly loud enough. Is that one of Digitrains sound files or one of your own? I´ve never tried one of their sounds but might have to save up for one now. 4 years down the road from my first SWD class 20 sound chip and you can tell that loco sounds have definately moved forward. Regards Andy

Hi Kev. No rush. Whenever. I´ve got 2 kids so I know what you are on about.

Hi Kev. I´ve just had my old SWD class 20 chip (that I couldn´t bear to listen to anymore) reblown with Howes class 25 sound so I´m decoderless and without sound in the class 20 at the moment. Any chance of doing a video so we could hear the results? I followed your instructions with my class 37 sound install and it sounds brilliant.

Hi Alex. The swarf conveyor is looking the business. Looking forward to seeing it painted and weathered. I thought you might like to see this. A poster from a Boxenby Depot open day, back in 1979. The cost of an entrance ticket (including a jam-packed DMU from Nottingham - 1GBP). God knows how much I paid for the poster? 10p maybe? The amazing thing is that I was only 13 at the time and although 4 of us made the trip up from St. Albans, the eldest was still only 14 years old. I don´t think my wife would let our 14 year old son out on a trip like that these days.

Hi Alex. I'm sure an EPB could be dragged in by one of your blue grids for wheel turning. You've got the perfect excuse to buy anything now. I might send you one of my Spanish diesels if the damn thing doesn't stop shorting on one of my crossings!

Hi Alex. I´m glad you had a good holiday down here. It was great meeting you and putting the world to rights and talking trains for a couple of hours. Glad you liked Portland Grove. After being away for 2 weeks on my holidays without RMWeb, your wheel lathe is looking the part. From memory, you have captured the colours of the real thing to a T. The pictures of the Grids awaiting their turn on the lathe capture the atmosphere of a working depot already, and it’s only half finished! That Peak brings back memories of visits to Cricklewood a Toton too. Keep up the inspirational work.

If it was your birthday and you went with the wife..... Maybe

Maybe the next one will be called called Oceans Eleven?